Unboxing! Feather Bonnet & Hackle - Matt Willis Bagpiper 

Just learning the bagpipes but i am totally becoming a expert just so i can wear a hat like that in public. it is awesome

That is a beautiful bonnet. I've worn feather bonnets a few times and the one thing I've observed from experience is that the dye used on the ostrich feathers has a tendency to bleed in heavy rain. I did a performance in Ottawa where that happened and for some people the bonnets bled heavily onto their scarlet tunics, pretty much ruining a $1000 uniform, same thing happened to the Black watch pipe band from Montreal last year in Scotland apparently. And the wind is definitely not your friend when you're wearing it. the upside is you can effectively conceal a 26 of liquor in the top without too much issue.

Alright MacWillis, we're shippin you off to Waterloo

Looking good Matt!! Now you can experience the joys of having the tails stuck in your mouth while playing outside on a windy day. They have never been the most comfortable of headgear. Can I give you a couple of tips from someone who has worn one for every band performance for the last 30 odd years. If the bonnet is a wee bit snug then I get a length of garden hose and wind it twice in the headband and cut it so that it is quite a tight fit when the 2 ends of the hose are put together. This will slightly stretch the headband. You can also slightly dampen the headband which will help. The other tip is to cut out that horrible plastic chin strap which will go hard and eventually crack, and replace it with a proper leather one that will stay supple and be more comfortable. The chin strap should be worn on the tip of the chin or slightly in front - never underneath.

You are most certainly doing us Scottish pipers proud Matt! Looking good

Looking sharp Matt! The feather bonnet is the final piece I need for the full No.1 uniform. Not really in a great hurry to get one, but I will eventually.

It’s SOOoo FLOOFY

YAAAYYYY I clicked the "first" like LOL though, most definitely, not the first comment, Alan's comment about the tails is very relevant!

Hi there is a small hook and elastic on the top of the bonnet because in a wind the hackle will fall out. It goes around the hackle

Should be a brass O ring on the top of the hackle with an elastic cord ( black) and small clip to hold the top of the hackle still. On windy days we would wrap the back tail around the front tails to keep them from flying around.

Hi on the top of the bonnet there is a small hook and electric to hold the hackle on and it won,t blow away

The Trooping the Colour book I have mentions soldiers wearing their Bearskins to get used to them. Nice video.

And I love we got a bonus 2nd Unboxing!

The strap for most military headgear is usually worn in front of the chin. This way, if an enemy pulls on the helmet in hand-to-hand combat, the strap will not choke the wearer. However, it also makes it a little more likely to fall off in the wind. Seeing as you are probably not going to engage in hand to hand combat, I would suggest that you wear it in whatever way is best for you. If you are worried about passing a regimental inspection, and looking as accurate as possible, put it in front of your chin. If you are more concerned about keeping it on your noggin, strap it under your chin. Whatever works best for you.

Very interesting learnt a lot here once more. Many thanks😁

Great feather bonnet matt !! Looks sharp as hell , wear that with pride !!!!

Very cool. I'd like to have one just to have one. Maybe to wear around the house in my bathrobe. 😄 I have no other "use, for it, but it would look darn cool sitting on the shelf. But since most seem to go for about $400-$600 (or anywhere from 395 to 1200). I'll just have to imagine it, unless somebody wants to get it for me for my next birthday or Christmas 👍😁

I have cut the feathers a bid with a sissor arround the diced rimband ..

You could be a Vegas showgirl with headgear that large!

If you'd like the dicing to be more visible a lot of pipers & drummers trim the feathers a bit so you can see it better. If it gets wet, hang it upsides down and let it dry naturally. You also might want to thread a piece of string or wire at the top of the hackle through the hat to stop it falling to the side. Enjoy!

You're lucky, the bonnet suits you well sir. And it's a fine bonnet too. I prefer the green hackle, especially with your Anderson tartan. For those with spectacles, wearing feather bonnets can be a problem. Tip. British Army guardsmen are encouraged to wear their bearskins when not on parade to assist the headwear forming a comfortable shape to the head. Try wearing your bonnet around the house, or during practice to do the same!

I lucked out.. I found an old Military brass band that wore full highland dress (the Galt Kilty band Cambridge Ont 🇨🇦) they were folding.. and I was able to buy a doublet for $150.🇨🇦Feather bonnet for $175🇨🇦 and a horse hair sporran for $75🇨🇦 (I should have bough an entire uniform) from what I heard they tossed the whole lot four years later 😫

Only the adjustment in the back to fit your head? Interesting. Wonderful looking bonnet!

It looks amazing, it seems that having the strap on your chin would make it a bit tricky to play - but I dunno.

Hey Matt! Have you ever done a video on polishing the metal ferrules? I just got my first set of Naills, and they use Nickel ferrules. Noticed after a couple of days that they started to react to the oil on my fingers. I have some Flitz on the way, but at unsure on how to use it. I’m a trumpet player, but they are far more resistant than what I’m seeing with these ferrules.

is there many pipers that wear the white ostrich bonnet

Matt, you have ways of making ridiculous things look dignified. Now I want one, not that I'll be able to complement the thing with my old-fart head, perhaps I can compensate with my piping... uh, probably not.

MacTatonka

can you wear dress 1's even if you don't play bagpipes/drums like for attending a clan gathering?

Wait so.. you performed at the university with the bonnet on but you’re doing the unboxing after?

Where do I get this hat

Where did you buy it?

Don't know for sure if your feather bonnet has it. But normally you attach the top of your hackle to a string/ring on the top of the bonnet. It should be exactly in the middle of the top of your bonnet. Let me know if you found it! 😅

Four tail bonnets are for the enlisted soldiers, five tail bonnets are for officers

can you change the color of the dicing?

Always hated wearing those things. On a hot day it feels like someone is tightening a giant hose clamp on your head. The only upside is that you could shove a can of beer inside for " Smashed " bands.

Cannae beat a guid bunnet!